Name honors the late Charles H. Lamoureux ( 1933-2000), a prominent local botanist, professor at the University of Hawai'i, and director of Lyon Arboretum with extensive knowledge of Hawaiian plants and a particular interest and expertise in the ferns.

Found only in a restricted area, around 920-1,200 m, in the Makawao and Ko'olau Forest Reserves on East Maui. 

Dryopteris fusco-atra var.lamoureuxii may be differentiated from var.fusco-atra by its blades that are fully 2-pinnate, with pinnae that are widest in the middle and have more open sinuses; and by ultimate segments that are more falcate and elongate, with slightly lobed margins and rather acute tips.